First, tradition required that Parents offer a sacrifice. The sacrifice can be
either "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." Joseph and Mary offered a
pair of turtledoves as sacrifice as they could not afford two young pigeons.
Joseph was a carpenter and Mary was a farm girl. They were very poor. The King
of Israel was born into a family that was one of the poorest in Israel. He was
born in a manger. ...

Suddenly Simeon's heart leaps within him. The long days of waiting are finally
over. The Lord's Christ is before him. Here is the One for whom the nation has
been waiting. He walks over, introduces himself, and says, "Do you mind if I
hold your child?" As Mary gives the infant Jesus to Simeon, the thought hits
him, "I am holding the salvation of the world in my arms." ...

Anna cannot restrain her joy at seeing
our Saviour. Bubbling over with joy and gratitude, she shares with everyone she
meets the arrival of salvation from fear and guilt, from sin and death, in the
Son of Mary. Years later, many people remembered what Anna, with a youthful
exuberance, had told them about the greatest day of her life. ...

The service observed for Jesus was especially important for Christians
because God himself became a redeemer for our salvation. He brought us back
from the mighty hands of Heavenly Father by dedicating himself as a true
sacrifice. Jesus became a true sacrifice like a lamb before the Holy Altar
of God. ...

Old Simeon and Anna have lived all their lives waiting on the promise of God
to bring about the redemption of His people. That one hope, that one vision,
that one dream, has been the center of their entire lives. They have refused
to settle for anything less. No matter how close it might have been, no
matter how helpful it was, no matter how powerful it is, no matter who told
them something, they have focused their lives on the coming of the
consolation of Israel. ...